Nature Moncton Nature News: April 24 2022

NATURE MONCTON NATURE NEWS

April 24, 2022 (Sunday)

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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

**Sue Berube sends a photo of a nocturnal visitor to their Riverview feeder yard, a Northern Flying Squirrel. It is the first they have seen this year but in other years they have had up to 5 at once. (Editors note: Sue’s photo nicely shows the edge of the patagium (arrow) which the squirrel will spread out widely to fly/glide with such ease)

Sue also shares a photo of the male and female Pileated Woodpeckers that have been regularly visiting their suet feeder. They are still coming to the suet daily but not together, one after the other, sometimes alternating several times which would suggest nesting has commenced and that the nest may well be not far away from that reliable food supply.

** Jane LeBlanc was out in her St. Martins yard, trying to wear out her puppy, but she had her camera as the bird feeder area was very busy. While waiting to get a photo of yard birds, 2 Turkey Vultures flew over, giving a great belly photo. She then got a photo of the White-throated Sparrow, as well as others, including the Evening Grosbeak, which is still around almost daily.

**David Cannon removed a Spring Peeper from his pool Saturday.

It was certainly alive, but much more swollen than peepers he has removed in the past. Either it absorbed too much water, or perhaps it is full of eggs? He put it back in the woods, as laying eggs in the pool would be a waste of eggs.

It’s not very often a Spring Peeper can be photographed this closely. Note the broad sucker feet that allows this amphibian to easily cling to upright surfaces.

**The Nature Moncton field trip on Saturday to the White Rock Recreational Area near Hillsborough went off under beautiful sunny skies, and a keen group of participants missed little with the guidance of Gordon Rattray who knows this unique area so well and the amazing history behind it. This area was once one of the largest gypsum mining locations in the world and is therefore very alkaline (calcitic) which is a favoured habitat for some of Mother Nature’s community.

Being a mixed forest, many deciduous trees were just starting to burst their buds to begin their summer mission, the evergreen conifers to renew relationships, plants and shrubs were in spring preparation, and very early flowering plants were appreciated. Early arriving birds were being greeted as well as those that didn’t leave us. Lichens to learn about seemed to be everywhere, a few overwintering butterflies were very appreciated, and so much more.

A very interesting blooming shrub was encountered that no one had seen before or even had a clue as to its identity. Mr. Google came to the rescue to tentatively identify it as Canada Buffaloberry. Hind’s Flora of New Brunswick lists it as uncommon and found in northern New Brunswick but only one location in Southeastern New Brunswick which just happens to be Albert Mines!

It produces small four parted flowers before the leaves come out which we were very fortunate to see as the April flowering period is short. The flowers do become prolific to produce many red berries that are edible but with a very unusual flavour that some describe as coffee-like. The seed flowers are produced on female plants while the male pollen flowers are produced on separate plants (dimorphic).

Another special moment happened when four stragglers spotted a butterfly which finally settled down long enough for rapid photographs. The four pseudo-lepidopterists very competently identified it incorrectly. Butterfly guru Jim Edsall set us straight to confirm it was a Green Comma Butterfly. This is one of the handful of butterflies that overwinter as the adult and are ready to boogie at first spring warmth.

There were hundreds of photos taken that will reach the editor in the next few days to be shared.

It was a wonderful day to be in outdoor New Brunswick with naturalists sharing with others in pleasant camaraderie.

nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Nelson Poirier

Nature Moncton